When school officially began this month throughout the districts in Southeastern Kentucky, I don’t believe many of us were thinking about the fall season that follows. With the temperatures setting new records everywhere it just seemed impossible, at least to me, to think about the fall leaves, a cold wind and anything other then “seems like summer to me”.
For those old enough and experienced in age you will understand hearing our family members talk about sweeping the yard, it just doesn’t seem right does it? Hard to imagine if that was real action or just mountain talk for something else? It has not been unusual to see plenty of fans out on porches or folks sitting in their garage with a fan on to escape the heat and catch a breeze to find a moment of relief.
Just two months ago we were all crying drought and thought it would never rain, then the rains came, the rain deficit index was decreased, we were feeling good again, and I think you are getting the picture, the cycle of something is beginning again.
This past week with football field lights getting their switch turned to on and the swell of popcorn filling the air, we still have not reached that fall season zone have we? Even with the arrival of Labor Day this weekend I don’t quite believe we will have that settled feeling that fall has arrived. The lakes are down, the water has fallen her 15 or 20 feet but still no strong stance on when we can say fall is here still.
With the “seems like summer to me” still. With my hearts desire for fall to arrive what should one do?
The scriptures are so full of thoughts about seasons and different times in our lives and we even learn from the scriptures about seasons just like these, those that seem out of place or too much. Learning to be content is no easy position to strive after under any circumstances much less trying times, but that word is clear that we should press on.
Not sure what season you like best, not sure what you are thinking about our present weather conditions but you can rest assured of two things for sure. One, it will change just give it time, and two, if you think it can’t get worse, well hold on because it could before relief finally arrives.
In the Old Testament the scripture talks about us taking our position, standing guard, waiting and watching to see what the Lord will say, and for us to simply wait and then when we have received it to run with it. Considering all the questions raised by weather alone it makes good sense to be ready doesn’t it? Why not, while we have the time, make preparations for another type of day that has yet to arrive yet? Today it’s hot, tomorrow it maybe wet, and soon enough it will be could, should we not gather while we can?
Options available in life at this present moment range from sit back, do nothing and complain, to make the best of what you have and see if some luck comes your way, or a final option could be take action through wisdom and attempt to handle whatever comes your way. Not sure what choice you are willing to make today, but fall will arrive, colds winds will blow and now is the best time to get ready when it does arrive.
Until then
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Friday, August 17, 2007
School, School, School
This time of the year the calendar cries out school, school, and more school!
I do believe that most folks like to live their lives in such a way that time periods are the focus goals, so thinking August and “back to school” thoughts go hand in hand. Depending upon your personal disposition on change, you maybe thinking that August and “back to school” thoughts will always go together? Myself, I believe even this togetherness of thoughts will change given time.
For those of us living here in the mountains we think of school as an August-May experience for school age children, many teachers think of their professions as summer free jobs, unless teaching summer school of course. However, this line of thinking has changed in not just large cities but small cities too as school districts have changed their thought lines and have begun the public introduction of year round education. We have heard this discussion in some of our local districts and no doubt, this change will occur eventually and the change may even prove to be good, if you are capable of believing that change and good are two words that can be used together.
My great – grandfather was a school teacher and I have and cherish his certificate that proclaimed him as such. It listed his grade in each subject and with such he was off to the one room school in which he was the school master. Every time I look at his certificate and I look at the basic subjects he had proficient in I think about how far it seems education has removed itself from the basics today, but that subject of thought I will save for another day.
Depending upon your location, the setting for education and the resources for education may have changed very little from the 1800’s to even the 1950’s. My father and mother attending one room schools and I have heard them say many times how they cherished books, it was just something classrooms didn’t have. I don’t understand at all today when I hear students say that there are not enough books in some subjects for every student to have their own, so students share books, wow and this is 2007 I think to myself? It is true for different reasons, but unacceptable to me, but I will save that column thought line for another day too.
Today’s column presents many things. Thoughts of the calendar month, school beginning, change; change; change; comparisons of school districts, basic education needs, issues facing students and teachers today, and some random thoughts about tomorrow or the day after next maybe. Life is so full of stuff isn’t it? The complications of issues, timing and experiences seem to fill every time slot and even seem to cover every time period.
Great advice for a month like this is best found in the Book of Psalms from the Bible. Psalms 46:10 says, “be still and know that I am God”, and oh what a thought to be in such a moment as these like these described in this column. Consider a pause from His point of view. For us to stop and see what He might be saying or communicating through this experience. Yes, no doubt, great advice would be for us to simply know He is God and in that , our discovery of peace and purpose no matter the circumstance.
Until then
I do believe that most folks like to live their lives in such a way that time periods are the focus goals, so thinking August and “back to school” thoughts go hand in hand. Depending upon your personal disposition on change, you maybe thinking that August and “back to school” thoughts will always go together? Myself, I believe even this togetherness of thoughts will change given time.
For those of us living here in the mountains we think of school as an August-May experience for school age children, many teachers think of their professions as summer free jobs, unless teaching summer school of course. However, this line of thinking has changed in not just large cities but small cities too as school districts have changed their thought lines and have begun the public introduction of year round education. We have heard this discussion in some of our local districts and no doubt, this change will occur eventually and the change may even prove to be good, if you are capable of believing that change and good are two words that can be used together.
My great – grandfather was a school teacher and I have and cherish his certificate that proclaimed him as such. It listed his grade in each subject and with such he was off to the one room school in which he was the school master. Every time I look at his certificate and I look at the basic subjects he had proficient in I think about how far it seems education has removed itself from the basics today, but that subject of thought I will save for another day.
Depending upon your location, the setting for education and the resources for education may have changed very little from the 1800’s to even the 1950’s. My father and mother attending one room schools and I have heard them say many times how they cherished books, it was just something classrooms didn’t have. I don’t understand at all today when I hear students say that there are not enough books in some subjects for every student to have their own, so students share books, wow and this is 2007 I think to myself? It is true for different reasons, but unacceptable to me, but I will save that column thought line for another day too.
Today’s column presents many things. Thoughts of the calendar month, school beginning, change; change; change; comparisons of school districts, basic education needs, issues facing students and teachers today, and some random thoughts about tomorrow or the day after next maybe. Life is so full of stuff isn’t it? The complications of issues, timing and experiences seem to fill every time slot and even seem to cover every time period.
Great advice for a month like this is best found in the Book of Psalms from the Bible. Psalms 46:10 says, “be still and know that I am God”, and oh what a thought to be in such a moment as these like these described in this column. Consider a pause from His point of view. For us to stop and see what He might be saying or communicating through this experience. Yes, no doubt, great advice would be for us to simply know He is God and in that , our discovery of peace and purpose no matter the circumstance.
Until then
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